I've been to several Microsoft conferences before, but they've all been technical. This is my first time at the Partner conference and I'm finding it surprisingly productive and helpful. While the conference is low on technical information, there are still important announcements being made here, and a high concentration of people who want to talk to each other, and who aren't bashful about wanting to make money. Once you understand that this is the premise of the whole event, the conversations move ......

This may sound too good to be true, or at least too good to work well, but it's for real. If you have a media PC, go to http://www.orb.com, create an account, then download the client (really server) software onto your Media Center PC. It downloads and installs pretty quickly, asks you a few config questions and then starts up. You'll see a small, green Orb icon in your tray, and your media machine will feel a bit sluggish, but after a few minutes that will dissipate. At this point, go to your router ......